Mississippi State head coach Vic Schaefer congratulates his team as they head toward the bench during a timeout in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Crystal LoGiudice)

TCU ranked in women's hoops for first time since 2010

By DOUG FEINBERG

Jan. 22, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) — It's been a long climb back to the AP Top 25 for TCU.

After more than seven years out of the rankings, the Horned Frogs entered The Associated Press women's basketball poll on Monday at No. 24. They were last ranked on Nov. 22, 2010, and are 13-5 this season, including wins over then-No. 7 Texas and No. 15 West Virginia.

"It's exciting and the team's kind of handling it with a decent amount of maturity," TCU coach Raegan Pebley said. "I want them to acknowledge it and be proud of it. It's not just the last two weeks that helped get them here, but an accumulation of a lot of work and lot of weeks."

The Horned Frogs next play at Kansas State on Wednesday. The Wildcats are coached by Jeff Mittie, who led TCU to its previous ranking in 2010. TCU has won four straight in the conference for the first time since joining in the 2012-13 season.

UConn remained the unanimous No. 1 choice in the poll from the 32-member national media panel. The Huskies had a busy week with a four-point win over Texas, a lackluster victory over Tulsa and a rout of Temple. The Huskies play Memphis and Tulane this week.

Mississippi State moved up to No. 2 for its best ranking ever. The Bulldogs are still unbeaten on the season after an impressive 19-point win at Tennessee on Sunday. It's the highest-ranked road win ever for the team, besting a victory over No. 9 Florida on Feb. 18, 2001.

Baylor, Louisville and Notre Dame follow the Bulldogs. The Cardinals suffered their first loss of the season, falling to Florida State on Sunday, to drop to fourth.

Texas, Oregon, Florida State, South Carolina and Tennessee round out the first 10 teams.

Georgia also entered the poll this week at No. 21. The team was last ranked on Feb. 9, 2015. Iowa and Rutgers fell out of the Top 25.

CONSISTENT WOLVERINES: No. 16 Michigan was in the poll for a 12th consecutive week, the longest run in school history, topping a 11-week stretch from 2000-2002. The ranking is also the best since the Wolverines were 12th on Dec. 24, 2001.

"For me, it's a milestone," Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico said. "I understand now how hard it is to be consistent year in and year out and week in and week out. It's truly great for our program and that's the ultimate goal. To have that type of consistency this season, speaks volumes to our team and players in our program."